Revoke Masbate gov’s bail, Sandigan asked

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday asked the Sandiganbayan to reconsider its decision to grant bail to Masbate Gov. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete who was charged with plunder over the pork barrel scam.

Government lawyers said there is sufficient evidence to convict Lanete for receiving kickbacks amounting to P76 million.

Lanete along with former Association of Philippine Electric Cooperative party-list congressman Edgar Valdez were released from detention on April 13 after  the Sandiganbayan granted their bail petition.

The Sandiganbayan said the prosecution failed to present strong evidence that Lanete was involved in the pork barrel scam, citing the admission made by the prosecution that she never met with suspected pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles on the matter.

Lanete was accused of misusing P112.9 million of her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel when she was Masbate congresswoman from 2007 to 2009.

Ex-Davao lawmaker

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman ordered the filing of multiple graft and malversation of public funds charges against former Davao del Norte First District congressman Arrel Olaño for allegedly misapropriating P7.97 million of his PDAF in 2007.

In a 27-page order, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said Technology Resource Center officials Antonio Ortiz, Dennis Cunanan, Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, Francisco Figura, Marivic Jover, Maurine Dimaranan and Consuelo Espiritu; Department of Budget and Management officials Mario Relampagos, Rosario Nuñez, Lalaine Paule and Marilou Bare; Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. president Evelyn de Leon, Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation Inc. president Mylene Encarnacion, Eulogio Rodriguez and Napoles should also be named respondents in the case.

Morales said there is no merit in the motions for reconsideration filed by the respondents.

Olaño was found to have received commissions and kickbacks amounting to at least P3.175 million from Napoles whose bogus non-government organizations allegedly implemented the ghost projects.